Cushion-spring wheel.



H. J. MARKS.

CUSHION SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1912.

1,052,358, Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

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CUSIHION'PSPRING WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

Application filed July 86, 1812. Serial No. 712,291.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY JAMEs'MARks,

a subject of the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, residir" at Toowoomba, in the State of Queensland, Commonwealth ofAustralia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements ,in Cushion-Spring'Wheels; and I do hereby declare the followin to be a full, clear, and exact description 0 the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

ThlS invention relates to an improved cushion spring wheel, more particularly adapted for use with vehicles but also applicable to pulley wheels for driving ma- 'chinery or other purposes The object of the invention isto dispense with the use. of pneumatic tires, and their liability to puncture and substituting therefor cushion springs fitted within tubular spokes which will insure the same resiliency as pneumatic tires and where rubber cushions are employed will e ually intercept the sound from the road to t e vehicle.

The invention consists of constructing a wheel of tubular spokes, said spokes -con-' nected to the hub o the wheel by any. suit able means and extended outward toward the rim of the wheel but terminating .a short distance from the rim.

In the 'hubof the wheel concentric with the axle is a tubular ring which may be of metal or rubber or a composition of rubber and other material, to which are attached rubber tubes fitting inside the tubular spokes and extending to within about .two thirdsof their length; to the tubular ring is fitted a valve whereby air can pumped in" and the tubes inflated. I

? ,Attached to the inside of the wheel rini by any suitable means are a number of preferably tubular plungers corresponding to the number of spokes in the wheel, the ends of which are preferabl rounded and en-- gage with the ends 0 the rubber tubes,

forming a cushion sprin A slot is formed in the plungers and a ole in the tubular spokes through which are inserted pins for securing the plungers and spokesand limiting the travel of the the spokes.

The rim of the wheel may consist. of any suitable material, such as wood or metal, or

plungers up and down a combination of same and if necessary provided with a solidrubber tire.

To fully describe the invention, reference is now made to the drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation ofone half of resilient wheel. Figs. 2 and 3, part sectional elevation of same in modified form. Fig. 4. view showing head of plunger connected to flange on rim of wheel. Fig. 5, alternative method of connection. Figs. 6, sectional view showing double flange and connection to eccentric head. Fig. 7, sectional view showin single flange and connection to eccentric head. Fig. 8, view showing head working eccentrically. A is a rubber ring fitted within the hub of the wheel and having branches B ex-.

tending into tubular spokes CF' formed integral with the hub. v

D are solid or tubular plungers with flat oi rounded ends contacting with the in the eccentric heads, or vice ve rsa"; these frlctionjrollers .heads may be provided with I L engaging withthe rim of the wheels. Several patterns of these heads are shown in the drawings, either of which may be used. The pins E connecting the plungers to the tubular spokes, and the pins J connecting the eccentric or, lever ,heads to the flange of the rim, may if necessary be fitted with friction rollers. The rubber ring A is fitted with a valve which projects through a hole in the hub whereby the ring and its "branches may be inflated in the usual manner. 7 I

,In the modified form shown in Fig. 2, I dispense with the rubber ring in the hub of the wheel and simply use rubber tubes or bags M inserted in the tubular spokes. each one of which is separate and independent'and-each fitted with a valve for inflating purposes. The advantage of this method is,-that in the event of any escapeof air, the leakage is confined to that particular in slots F spoke and a complete breakdown of the cushion support is prevented; but should all the cushion springs fail the wheel would plates P, the plungers being connected to the wheels by similar means as in the previous methods- The plungers in any or all of the methods shown may be directly connected to. the wheel rim by pins and slots in the wheel rim as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the free ends of the plungers pressing down upon the movable washer P which is stopped by a check or shoulder in the tubular spokes.

In adopting the method illustrated by Fig. 1, I may prefer to construct the hub and spokes of the wheel in two or more parts (for the easy insertion or removal of the rubber ring and its tubular branches) and oin the parts together by any simple means, such as bolts and flanges.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate a Wheel having a double flange and six-spokes. I would have it understood that I may employ a single flange and any number of spokes and that instead of either a double or single flange, brackets fixed to the rim for attaching thereto the eccentric heads.

In using a single flange as shown in Fig. 7 in which Q is the flange, I make the slot in the flange and form the eccentric head with a bifurcated end for attachment thereto by a pin as shown.

In using the invention, the pressure applied to the axle by the weight of the vehicle as the wheelsrevolve, causes the eccentric heads to move. eccentrically from the rim of the wheel and to exert an inward pressure against the plungers which are forced against the cushion springs con-.

tained in the spokes, thus providing the necessary resiliency for easy and comfortable riding.

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a wheel, a hub; tubular spokes radiating from said hub; cushioning means in the lower portion of said spokes; plungers working in said spokes above said cushioning means; means between said spokes and plungers for limiting the movement thereof in either direction; slotted heads pivotally connected to said plungers, a flanged rim; and positive driving connections on said rim engaging loosely through the slots in said heads.

2. In a wheel, a hub; tubular spokes radiating from said hub; a plunger working in each of said tubular spokes; cushioning means in said spokes adapted to be compressed by said plungers; pin and slot connections between said spokes and plungers for limiting the movement of the latter in either direction; heads having elongated slots therein pivotally connectedv to said plungers; a flanged rim; and pins carried by said rim and passing through the slots in said heads. In testimony whereof, I have afixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY JAMES MARKS.

Witnesses:

- E. MARTIN ABELL,

OLIVE K; ABELL. 

